for the media in russia, it was the perfect opportunity to accuse the west of hypocrisy. while the voting crimea was criticized in strongest terms, the region of venetia was allowed to have one. not much happened even after the italian police discovered that one group had been preparing for more hands-on action. >> for months, they were kept under surveillance. in a warehouse, police cameras recorded these self-styled freedom fighters converting a bulldozer into a makeshift armored vehicle. the public prosecutors suspect the group of planning and operation much like the 117 years ago when they occupied the piazza san marco in venice for several hours. eight people were arrested. the operation resulted in two weeks of pretrial custody for the organizers. >> all our 24 activist did was make a tractor a bit sturdier -- all our activists did. they were going to destroy a statue of an italian freedom fighter. nobody here likes him. but nobody was out to injure anyone or attack any authorities . this has nothing to do with terrorism. we are not an armed group or whatever the st